Career Advisor

6 tips for getting your Job Search back on track.

By Career Advisor

Question: I have been job hunting for about a month now. I have tried everything in this article. I chose my targets; none of which are hiring. I applied at one place in particular which specializes in Bio Fuels and other alternative energy because I figured that industry was on the cutting edge and would be “recession proof”. Two days later they closed their offices in our area and layed off over 30 employees. I know that this doesn’t sound like that many, but in a town of roughly 8,000 it is a decent percentage and means more competition for me. There are a whopping 2 jobs in the local paper today and even less at the workforce center. The State, the County, the DOC, and the DOW are on hiring freezes and I am running out of options. Discretion is also a big issue. I need to secure another job before my boss finds out that I am looking; and around here word gets out fast. I am considering relocating, but as it stands I make barely enough for my bills and cannot afford to move.  Any advise would be extremely helpful.

Sarah

Answer: Your job search can feel hopeless when you feel like you have exhausted your options.

Here are tips that may jumpstart you search again:

1. Contact Career Services: If you’re a college graduate, be sure to contact the career services office at your own alma mater(s). Don’t forget about community college career centers, they may have job leads. Contact the local unemployment office. I’m not sure where you are located but Tennessee has a wide network of career centers. http://www.tncareers.org/
2. Use Job Search Engines: Job search engine sites, including Indeed and Simply Hired, allow users to search the major job sites, company sites, associations and other online job sites by keyword and location. RiseSmart is a job site that offers a Concierge service (for a fee) for job seekers who are looking for positions in the 100k+ salary range. RiseSmart.com - How it Works . You can also try the job search engine at http://www.career-advisor.net/. It uses Simplyhired for it’s engine.
3. Don’t rely on the newspaper classifieds: Very few companies post their jobs in the newspaper anymore. Have you checked http://www.craigslist.org ?
4. Try searching on a local scale via the Internet: Here is a list of sites that allow you to search on a local basis.  http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsbystate/Local_Job_Search.htm
5. Use your network: Tell your Uncles, Aunts, Parents, Grandparents, Brothers, Sisters, Cousins, Baristas, Elementary School Teachers, High School Teachers, Drama Club Fans, whoever… that you’re looking for a job. Be creative and be relentless.
6. Play the numbers: Job Hunting is a numbers game and an endurance sport.  The more openings that you apply for, the better chances you have. It’s also important to keep your motivation up. You face a lot rejection while job hunting these days. Those that are not used to rejections can easily get discouraged. Take time for your mental health during your job hunt by making time to clear your head of the negativity. 

Accounting course plan

By Career Advisor

Question: I want to be an accountant when I leave school but I don’t
know what courses I need to take at university.HELP!!!

Lissy

Answer: You will need to enroll in an Accounting Degree program in order to be an accountant. This is usually taught in the School of Business at your University.

I don’t know the exact University you are or will be attending so here is some information from the University of Edinburgh’s web site about their accounting degree.

http://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/ug_study/prospective_students/account_courses/index.html

How do I become a qualified accountant?

For those students who wish to go on to become professionally qualified accountants following graduation, the University of Edinburgh’s Accounting courses will provide a high level (usually the maximum available to Accounting graduates) of exemption from the professional examination requirements. For example, our two MA degrees with Accounting (the MA joint honours degree in Business Studies and Accounting, and the MA joint honours degree in Economics and Accounting) are both fully accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland and qualify for the maximum available exemptions from the professional examinations that lead to the professional qualification of Chartered Accountant.

What does the course actually involve?

Accounting is taught over four years: Accountancy 1A and Accountancy 1B in the first year; Accountancy 2A and Accountancy 2B in the second year; Advanced Financial Accounting, Auditing, and Management Accounting Applications in the Junior Honours Year; and students choose from a selection of courses and undertake a dissertation in Senior Honours year.

First Year

Two courses are available in the first year, Accountancy 1A and Accountancy 1B. These courses are intended to cater for broadly two types of students:

• Those who require only a general understanding of the subject, and who do not intend to proceed further with its study
• Those who intend to specialise in accounting at university or after graduation

Accountancy 1A: This course runs in the first semester and forms an introduction to financial accounting dealing with the nature and scope of accounting, the preparation of financial accounting reports, issues in external financial reporting, and the analysis and use of financial accounting information.

Accountancy 1B: Taken in the second semester this course is an introduction to management accounting including costing, decision making and planning, and control. Students wishing to take accounting courses in the second year must have already passed both Accountancy 1A and Accountancy 1B.

First year accounting courses normally consist of three one-hour lectures, and a one-hour tutorial per week. On occasions one of the weekly lectures may be used as a workshop at which several members of staff are present to help students through an accounting problem. The course topics are chosen so that, overall, a self-contained and integrated course is presented. Tutorials will normally involve completing a practical exercise and/or discussing topical accounting issues.

The course makes use of microcomputers and the students will be expected to become familiar with such technology by making use of the appropriate computer laboratory facilities. An introductory course of three hours in the lab is followed by a number of computer exercises during the academic year. It would be an advantage for students to have mathematical skills of at least Scottish Higher or AS Level. The standards expected are high, and there is a limited system of continuous assessment in operation. Unfortunately due to pressure of numbers, students failing this course at the first diet will be allowed only one resit attempt.

Second Year

The second year consists of two semester length courses (Accountancy 2A and Accountancy 2B) which will normally be taken consecutively. Accountancy 2A: This course progresses from Accountancy 1A, and deals with some of the more complex aspects of Financial Accounting, specifically the regulatory framework of corporate reporting, the preparation of published financial statements including the use of accounting standards, tangible and intangible assets, liabilities and related issues, overseas involvement and accounting for groups. This course also includes an introduction to taxation. Accountancy 2B: Progressing from Accountancy 1B, this course deals with more advanced management accounting, specifically advanced costing systems, budgeting and standard costing, and current practice in management accounting. This course also includes a module on intermediate level taxation.

Junior Honours

Junior Honours courses comprise:

• Advanced Financial Accounting: Alternatives to historic cost accounting; advanced interpretations and analysis; issues in financial reporting.
• Auditing: Auditing as an investigative process; auditing as communication; auditing as a professional and societal activity.
• Management Accounting Applications Organisational segmentation; management control; management accounting in the public sector.

Senior Honours

Students can choose from the following Senior Honours courses:

• Accounting and Everyday Life
• Advanced Management Accounting
• Audit Practice
• Issues in Accounting and Auditing Regulation
• Comparative International Accounting
• Public Sector Accounting
• Theoretical and Practical Issues in Financial Accounting

In any one year the actual number of these options on offer will depend on staff availability.

Frustration tolerance dropping!

By Career Advisor

Question: More than 10 years of experience in my field, not getting many interviews. Am I overqualified? I know I’m not under qualified, but sometimes it seems like I need to know everything about my field. Am I aiming at jobs that won’t suit me? This is so frustrating. I also wonder if I’m being rejected because of age (55). Feedback and some support, not sympathy, would be helpful.

Answer: You have my support. I don’t know if you are aiming at jobs that won’t suit you because you haven’t included enough information about your field, education, or experience.

One thing that I do know, is that job hunting is extremely frustrating. Lets face it, in this job market the odds are stacked against you. There were 2,269 Mass Layoffs in the month of September http://www.bls.gov/news.release/mmls.nr0.htm .

Fifty Five is not old. The Department of Labor actually reports that there has been an increase in employment of 55 and older workers in the last 3 months: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm

Job hunting is a numbers game. The more positions that you apply to, the better your chances are. Keep motivated.

Tricks for overcoming a bad job history.

By Career Advisor

Question: I spent many years being unmotivated and burned a lot of bridges with
great jobs. I had a horrible habit of quitting jobs and calling in
sick a lot. Now I am ready to find a job and stick with it but because
of my bad history and bad references no one will hire me! I am so
motivated and driven now! Do you have any advice for me? Please help!
Thank you!

Answer: Tricks for overcoming a bad job history.

1. Change careers: When someone changes careers, employers look at that person like they are starting over. In your case this may be a good thing. For example, if you were a Administrative Assistant during your unstable work history, maybe be a Hair Stylist. If you were a computer programmer, think of becoming a Database Analyst.

Many times people leave off past employment on their resumes if it’s not relevant to the job that they’re applying for. You can too.

2. Go back to school: If you are able to go back to school and get additional training, this may allow you to change careers and start over.

3. Change your references: Is there another manager at your old companies that will give you a good reference? Is there a co-worker?

4. Be honest about it: We have all gone through unmotivated times in our lives. Many employers know this and may overlook your past if you are up-front with them. When you get your first interview tell them what you told me. You made some mistakes but those times are in the past. Be confident and enthusiastic. Don’t let them find it out when they do the reference checks.

Bad Credit effecting your Job Hunt?

By Career Advisor

Question: Hi there- just some background…

I used to own a store which I closed last year due to the economy, and the concern I have is that while I get some interviews, that when a credit check is run, my credit, which used to be fairly good-650 FICO- but with the store closure, a divorce, and the economy, it’s been hard finding work. I have a Master’s degree, and prospective employers often tell me that I’m “overqualified”, that is if I get the interview at all! I don’t have a problem allowing background/security/credit checks being done, but in this economy it seems like a catch22- I need to find a stable position so I can pay off my bills, but can’t pay off my bills without work.. Is there a way to convey to potential employers a heads up about my credit report without appearing desperate or killing the chances of that job?

I’m told by friends/fellow job seekers that I’m doing all the right things: I’m signed up with 9 temp agencies, attend job search workshops, network, send and follow up on every resume sent. Is there something I’m overlooking? I’d appreciate any feedback received. Thanks for reading.

Answer: Not all job openings require a Credit Check as a condition of employment. Typically these positions deal with handling money. You may want to apply to ones that don’t.

The web site privacyrights.org says this about Credit Checks as a condition of employment: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs16-bck.htm

My job doesn’t require handling money. Why does the employer do a credit check?

Often employers use your credit history to gauge your level of responsibility. Whether a valid assumption or not, some employers believe if you are not reliable in paying your bills, then you will not be a reliable employee. Unfortunately, a bad credit report can work against you in your search for employment. For more on how a credit record can affect your job search, see the Federal Trade Commission’s fact sheet on this topic,http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/credit/bus08.shtm

In addition to your payment history, a credit report typically includes information about your former addresses and previous employers. Employers can use this as one way to verify the accuracy of information you provide on an application or resume.

Many people have bad credit. Many more are going to have bad credit before this recession is over. Don’t let that be the only thing that defines you. Do not offer this information unless it’s needed as a condition for employment. Only tell a potential employer about your credit history if it’s asked about. It’s none of their business if they don’t ask.

OVERCOMING the “Overqualified” Problem

When interviewers say you are “overqualified,” here’s what they are concerned about:

(1) You’ll be bored in this position;
(2) You won’t be satisfied with the salary they’re offering;
(3) You’ll leave as soon as you get a better opportunity;
(4) They’ll have to go through the time-consuming and expensive process of hiring and training someone all over again.

They may or may not make you feel better about being “overqualified,” but you must admit those are legitimate concerns.

Confront their doubts head on by bringing the subject up first. Prove to them that you are taking a lower position for a good reason. That reason should not be “I couldn’t find better”. Here are some examples of a good reason:

1. I’ve always wanted to work for your company and I’m willing to take a lower position in order to get my foot in the door.
2. Your company and this position provides the stability and long term growth that has been lacking in my previous jobs.

Job Title dilemma

By Career Advisor

Question: I worked as Marketing Communications Manager at Company A for 7 years, until they were purchased by a larger company and our office was closed. I was recruiter from there to Company B, where I was given a title of Director of Marketing. Company B was very small, only around 25 people, and they misled me regarding a lot of things (revenue, marketing budget, my job responsibilities). Furthermore, the previous Director of Marketing at Company B was the wife of the company’s owner. She had no background in marketing, which was why they hired me, yet once I was there she refused to let me make any decisions whatsoever. Somehow I ended up staying at Company B for 18 months, then quit to pursue a brief consulting gig, with the intention of finding another permanent position soon. That was last June. Since then, as you all know, the economy tanked, and I haven’t found anything.

I am absolutely NOT interested in another Director-level job. I don’t feel that my job at Company B prepared me for one. Honestly, it was such a bad experience that I feel like I need to reboot my career and go back to the point I was at when I left Company A. The job market in my city, Austin, TX, is actually not as bad as many places. I’ve had a few interviews but nothing has panned out. Some of the feedback I’ve gotten from HR people is that they are afraid I’m overqualified for the Manager-level or individual contributor positions I’m applying for, that I wouldn’t be satisfied with the work or would leave too quickly for another Director-level position. That is honestly not the case.

So, I believe the Director title from Company B on my resume is hurting my job search. I’ve always tried, on my resume and cover letters, to write things in such a way as to de-emphasize the Director title and instead describe my job as it truly was. I am tempted to change my resume to show a title more line with what I actually did at Company B, like Marketing Manager or Sr Marketing Manager. But I’m sure that my true title at Company B would come out whenever they were called to verify my employment.

Any advice? Should I downgrade my title on my resume or not? Any other advice for convincing people I’m not overqualified for Manager-level jobs?

Answer: I don’t think that you should downgrade your title, for the specific reason that you mentioned. The first question that someone is going to ask that employer in a reference check is, “what was his/her title?’. If they receive anything back from that employer that is not what you have stated on your resume, it will raise doubts about you that are unfounded.

My suggestion is to put a description of the size, budget managed, and revenue of each job that you have had. This description should be the first bullet under your job title on each of your jobs.

Here’s an example:

Director of Marketing/ Product Management • 2002–2004

• Directed $35M business unit that is Entegris’ highest priority, fastest growing division

This information should let future employers know the scale of the company that you were Director for and will then demonstrate your level of experience.

In any interview make sure to bring up the size of that company in order to emphasize that you are not overqualified.

First Peace Corp, then Teaching, not what?

By Career Advisor

Question: I’m at a bit of an impasse.  I have a degree in Rhetoric from a big ten University, went on to law school before dropping out. Joined the Peace Corps as a teacher and have been working in the Middle East for the last 6 years as an English as a Second Language teacher.  I’m 43 and wondering what sort of fields other than teaching could I get into.
Thanks

Answer: Here are a couple suggestions:

You can try managing a Tutoring center. If you don’t want to teach, you can use your experience to manage tutors. Try this company: http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/

You can also try getting a job with Prometric.

Prometric is the recognized global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services. Here is their website: http://www.prometric.com/default.htm

Here is their career section: http://prometric.submit4jobs.com/

I would assume that you can relocate anywhere in the U.S. Follow the steps for job hunting that I have outlined here: http://www.career-advisor.net/2008/09/tips-on-job-hunting-out-of-state/

Good Luck.

CPA or the next Bill Gates?

By Career Advisor

Question: I’m 33 years old and have a bachelor degree in Business Administration and I’ve been working in the Administration department of a Non-Profit organization. I have decided to go back to school, however, I’m a little confused about what path to follow. I have two interest, one is to do a Master in Accounting and then sit for the CPA exam. The other is to get another bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. With the credits I can transfer, it would take me the same time to complete either degree. Each degree has it pros and cons:

Master in Accounting:

Pros:

- I have already some experience in the field.

- Related to my bachelor degree.

-Harder to outsource to foreign countries.

- Is a master’s degree.

Cons:

- More likely to be an employee for the rest of my life.

B.S. in Computer Science:

Pros:

- More Creative.

- You can design a software and create your own business.

Cons:

- No experience.

- Easier to outsource to foreign countries.

- Age discrimination.

- Not a master’s degree.

What do you think? What is the better path for me to follow?

Thank you for your advice.

Answer: Anytime time someone is deciding on a career change it is best to build on the experience you already have rather then starting completely over. This will allow you to ask for more money once you graduate and create better stability in your career. Is your administration experience for the Non-Profit more closely related to accounting or computer science. It sounds like it would be more related to accounting. In other words, will your current experience allow you to say that you have some accounting related experience once you graduate and start you job search?

Generally, It is always better to go for the Master’s Degree then to go for another Bachelors. Why would you not go for a Masters in Information Systems? You can have a BA and still go for a Masters in another discipline. It may require some additional prep course work but will be more valuable if you decide to go into Computer Science.

If you’re interested in working for your self, their are independent CPA’s. It’s more likely that you would be more successful at that, then creating the next MySpace.

In the end, the path that you choose is yours to decide. There are positives and negatives of both. Don’t let someone else make that decision for you.

How soon is too soon to start looking for a new job?

By Career Advisor

Question: About a year ago I was laid off from a full-time job and after a few months found a contract job that was supposed to be temp-to-hire. After about six months at job #2 it looked pretty unlikely that I would get hired full-time and I was having trouble finding out if my contract would be extended. There was talk the company was slated to start laying off workers, starting with the contractors and temps, so I managed to find an entry level job at a different company about two months ago.

I’m not unhappy in my current job but I’m not using my education and it’s not much really in my area of interest. I’m not desperate to leave but I do want to keep looking for something more related to my field. I know two months is too soon to look to switch but what is a good time? If I start sending resumes soon how do I explain my #### time at this position? Is it enough to say it’s not in my area?

Answer: As a general rule, I tell people that any job that your at for under 3 months can be left off your resume. I know that may seem strange and a little deceitful but you should look at it in a different way. If you were there for under 3 months you really did not have time to accomplish anything substantial (unless it’s a consulting position), The purpose of a resume is to demonstrate your experience and education as it applies to the position that you are applying for. It’s nothing more and nothing less. If that 3 month position that is not relevant to your given career field why would you include it in your pitch for a new position?

In short, 2 months is not too short of a time. If you want to include the position on your resume. Tell the truth. Say that the position was transitional while you searched for something in your chosen career field. You’re not alone in this quandary. Employers will understand this explanation. It will be harder to find something in your career field if you continue to work outside of it. Employers want recent and relevant experience to what they are hiring for.

Still follow-up after email confirmation?

By Career Advisor

Question: I’ve heard you should follow up with the company after you have submitted a resume.  Should you still follow up if you receive an automated email from the company confirming that they received your resume and that they will contact you if they think you’re qualified?  I would still like to follow up, but I don’t want to irk them by contacting them when they said that they will contact me.

Thanks for any help!

Answer: I’m a recruiter and I have one of those Applicant Tracking Systems

that send the those automated systems. I recently had a Admin position posted. There were 250+ people that applied to this position.

While I would like to say that I looked at every resume, the truth is that I didn’t have the time. If one of those candidates would follow-up with a direct email to me, I would look at their resume and consider it.

If you irk someone by emailing them a thank you note, they should get another job.